352.
1 ARTICLE 352 — RIGID POLYVINYL CHLORIDE CONDUIT: TYPE PVC
ARTICLE 352
Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit: Type
PVC
Part I. General
352.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and
construction specifications for rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit
(PVC) and associated fittings.
Informational Note: Refer to Article 353 for High Density Poly‐
ethylene Conduit: Type HDPE, and Article 355 for Reinforced
Thermosetting Resin Conduit: Type RTRC.
352.2 Definition.
Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit (PVC). A rigid nonmetallic
raceway of circular cross section, with integral or associated
couplings, connectors, and fittings for the installation of elec‐
trical conductors and cables.
352.6 Listing Requirements. PVC conduit, factory elbows, and
associated fittings shall be listed.
Part II. Installation
352.10 Uses Permitted. The use of PVC conduit shall be
permitted in accordance with 352.10(A) through (I).
Informational Note: Extreme cold may cause some nonmetallic
conduits to become brittle and, therefore, more susceptible to
damage from physical contact.
(A) Concealed. PVC conduit shall be permitted in walls,
floors, and ceilings.
(B) Corrosive Influences. PVC conduit shall be permitted in
locations subject to severe corrosive influences as covered in
300.6 and where subject to chemicals for which the materials
are specifically approved.
(C) Cinders. PVC conduit shall be permitted in cinder fill.
(D) Wet Locations. PVC conduit shall be permitted in
portions of dairies, laundries, canneries, or other wet locations,
and in locations where walls are frequently washed, the entire
conduit system, including boxes and fittings used therewith,
shall be installed and equipped so as to prevent water from
entering the conduit. All supports, bolts, straps, screws, and so
forth, shall be of corrosion-resistant materials or be protected
against corrosion by approved corrosion-resistant materials.
(E) Dry and Damp Locations. PVC conduit shall be permitted
for use in dry and damp locations not prohibited by 352.12.
(F) Exposed. PVC conduit shall be permitted for exposed
work. PVC conduit used exposed in areas of physical damage
shall be identified for the use.
Informational Note: PVC Conduit, Type Schedule 80, is identi‐
fied for areas of physical damage.
(G) Underground Installations. For underground installa‐
tions, PVC shall be permitted for direct burial and under‐
ground encased in concrete. See 300.5 and 300.50.
(H) Support of Conduit Bodies. PVC conduit shall be permit‐
ted to support nonmetallic conduit bodies not larger than the
70 –202
largest trade size of an entering raceway. These conduit bodies
shall not support luminaires or other equipment and shall not
contain devices other than splicing devices as permitted by
110.14(B) and 314.16(C)(2).
(I) Insulation Temperature Limitations. Conductors or cables
rated at a temperature higher than the listed temperature
rating of PVC conduit shall be permitted to be installed in PVC
conduit, provided the conductors or cables are not operated at
a temperature higher than the listed temperature rating of the
PVC conduit.
352.12 Uses Not Permitted. PVC conduit shall not be used
under the conditions specified in 352.12(A) through (E).
(A) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. In any hazardous (clas‐
sified) location, except as permitted by other articles of this
Code.
(B) Support of Luminaires. For the support of luminaires or
other equipment not described in 352.10(H).
(C) Physical Damage. Where subject to physical damage
unless identified for such use.
(D) Ambient Temperatures. Where subject to ambient
temperatures in excess of 50°C (122°F) unless listed otherwise.
(E) Theaters and Similar Locations. In theaters and similar
locations, except as provided in 518.4 and 520.5.
352.20 Size.
(A) Minimum. PVC conduit smaller than metric designator 16
(trade size 1∕2) shall not be used.
(B) Maximum. PVC conduit larger than metric designator
155 (trade size 6) shall not be used.
Informational Note: The trade sizes and metric designators are
for identification purposes only and do not relate to actual
dimensions. See 300.1(C).
352.22 Number of Conductors. The number of conductors
shall not exceed that permitted by the percentage fill specified
in Table 1, Chapter 9.
Cables shall be permitted to be installed where such use is
not prohibited by the respective cable articles. The number of
cables shall not exceed the allowable percentage fill specified
in Table 1, Chapter 9.
352.24 Bends — How Made. Bends shall be so made that the
conduit will not be damaged and the internal diameter of the
conduit will not be effectively reduced. Field bends shall be
made only with identified bending equipment. The radius of
the curve to the centerline of such bends shall not be less than
shown in Table 2, Chapter 9.
352.26 Bends — Number in One Run. There shall not be
more than the equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees
total) between pull points, for example, conduit bodies and
boxes.
352.28 Trimming. All cut ends shall be trimmed inside and
outside to remove rough edges.
352.30 Securing and Supporting. PVC conduit shall be instal‐
led as a complete system as provided in 300.18 and shall be
fastened so that movement from thermal expansion or contrac‐
tion is permitted. PVC conduit shall be securely fastened and
supported in accordance with 352.30(A) and (B).
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE 2017 Edition